제임스 본드 프랜차이즈의 새로은 시작: <카지노로얄>의 변식과 정형의 반복

The James Bond franchise has proclaimed its new beginning with Casino Royale in 2006. Indeed, the film attempts to break the franchise's formula: Casino Royale features gritty realism and deep characterization of the new Bond character. Unlike his predecessors, the serious and ruthless Bond is well cognizant of the dirty nature of assassination work. Further, he is a self-conscious person with emotional scars. The narrative deals with the subtle transformation of romance between Bond and Vesper credibly, providing both characters with motivation for and depth in their love. Such a relationship between Bond and his girl is unprecedented. Nevertheless, the new film cannot fully subvert the series' imperialistic ideology and sexism. Xenophobia is still prevalent. The Albanian background of the villain, Le Chiffre with his facial scar, is emphasized. African blacks are related to terrorism. The compound that Bond breaks into and turns chaotic is a foreign embassy. The film also proves that London still dominates world security and politics. As for sexism, the apparently independent and intelligent Bond girls are subjected to male gaze and remain subservient. Only Vesper challenges Bond willfully and fiercely but cannot go beyond the prescribed realm. According to the formula, she has to be removed because she fails to fully merge with Bond's territory. Yet, the attracting power of the Bond franchise is undeniable. The archetypical Bond figure survives as a lost and unachievable signifier of the repressed audience.